Photo: Lingaraj Panda

STRIKING DEALS: Buyers and sellers at the milk `haat' in Berhampur.

BERHAMPUR: The milk `haat' managed by women is abuzz with activity in the heart of the city every morning.

Over one hundred women from villages surrounding the city reach the temporary `haat' near the Berhampur stadium with large aluminium vessels containing milk. They reach the place in crowded min-buses and trucks.

Though the habit of buying milk packets of the Orissa Milk Federation (OMFED) and other brands has picked up among city dwellers, the milk `haat' continues to attract householders as well as restaurant and tea stall owners as they believe that the milk sold here is unadulterated.

Says Bidamma of Tatrapalli village: "The milk `haat' has been continuing since the days of our forefathers."

Earlier, it used to be held at the old bus stand and later shifted as the area became overcrowded.

Pravatiamma of Ralab village says that the quality of the milk is one thing that attracts customers.

As per an assessment, some 20,000 litres of milk is sold here daily between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

The vendors prefer to bring milk to Berhampur to get a better price. The OMFED is not collecting milk from their areas either.

Business interests apart, the `haat' also serves as a platform for a get-together.

Says Gouriamma of Randha: "The market provides mental relaxation and helps share our problems with one another." Being breadwinners of their families, this group of women stands as an example of emancipation.

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